WMU historian is featured expert on national TV special

November 19, 1998

KALAMAZOO -- A Western Michigan University historian who is
an internationally recognized expert on the origins of Christianity
will be among scholars appearing on the premier telecast Thanksgiving
weekend of a four-hour special on the Arts & Entertainment
network.

Dr. Paul L. Maier, the Russell H. Seibert Professor of Ancient
History at WMU, is among scholars interviewed for "The Rise
of Christianity -- The first Thousand Years." The first two
hours of the special will be broadcast at 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov.
29, and the second half will be shown at 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30.

Filmed on location in the Near East and Europe by FilmRoos
Productions of Hollywood, the series is narrated by Ossie Davis
and Ruby Dee. Maier, who served as the project's specialist for
the first three centuries of Christianity, was flown to Hollywood
last summer for the filming of his interview. Aside from his on-air
involvement, Maier served as a consultant for the project beginning
in the program's planning stages.

The new special marks Maier's fourth appearance on an A&E
project since December 1996 when he was a featured expert on the
award-winning "Biography" series. In 1997, he appeared
on two segments of the network's "Mysteries of the Bible"
series. Producers for the network originally made contact with
Maier through the University's Office of Marketing, Public Relations
and Communications.

The author of numerous books on the rise of Christianity, Maier's
insights have been sought by numerous other media including the
U.S. News and World Report, The Learning Channel and Voice of
America. Maier's 1994 book, "A Skeleton in God's Closet,"
became a number one national best seller in the religious fiction
category.

For more information, call Maier at (616) 387-4816 or contact
Cheryl Roland, WMU Marketing, Public Relations and Communications,
at (616) 387-8412.